7 At Home Date Night Ideas for Valentine’s Day 2023
Top 2 complaints in parenthood?
1. Not having time for yourself.
2. Not having time with your partner, aka date nights.
I recognize that as a new parent, having a night out with your partner can at times feel impossible (especially if you don't have family nearby or a trusted sitter). Let's not forget the whole "too exhausted" factor. After all, there was an "us" before there was a "family". Prioritizing the "us" always benefits the "family".
To make things easy on you, I've put together this list of 7 fun at-home date night ideas for you to do at home for Valentine’s Day!
1 - Movie Night
Whether you set up an outdoor screen or get cozy in your living room, a movie night may be just what you need! Pick a classic romantic comedy or try something different! If you need a movie idea, Netflix is releasing a brand new romcom called Your Place Or Mine starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher on February 10th. See the movie trailer HERE.
2 - Board Games & Beer
Pick out your favorite board game and enjoy a little healthy competition with your partner! Here are three ideas for games you can play with your partner:
Off Topic
While branded as an ‘adult party game,’ Off Topic is basically a funnier version of Scattergories and a great option for your date night game night for two.
Ticket To Ride
Set out on an epic journey building railways across the country in the Ticket To Ride Board Game. Players use strategy and decision-making as they run trains and decide routes between iconic cities. Players draw Destination Ticket cards, put down the train pieces and try to collect the maximum points to win.
Love Lingual: Card Game
The Amazon reviews speak for themselves at 4.7 out of 5 stars by over 3,300 reviewers. These questions are the best! They aren’t corny and covers a wide range of topics for you and your partner to better know each other even after years and years of marriage.
3 - Themed Dinner
One parent cooks, while the other handles bedtime. Make some margaritas and tacos and call it a Mexican Fiesta night! Or what about classic Italian food with a great glass of wine dressed to the nines. Whatever you choose, step out of your normal routine and plan an evening that is themed around something fun!
Here’s my favorite idea: Italian wine, eggplant parmesan and this YouTube playlist.
4 - Make A Fun Drink Together
Ohh! This one would be so fun! I found this awesome article from Brit+Co that gives 64 Easy Cocktail Recipes For The Most Satisfying Sips In 2023. Another awesome resource to find great drip recipes is the DrinkAR app. Pick a fun drink to make together and enjoy after bedtime.
5 - Get Crafty!
Grab a couple of canvases and paint supplies. Enjoy a bottle of wine while attempting to paint portraits of each other! (If they don't turn out as masterpieces, you can just blame it on the wine!)
6 - Puzzle & Popcorn
Take on a 500-1,000 piece puzzle together while snacking on popcorn.
7 - Take a Virtual Class!
How fun would it be to take a virtual dance class?! Check out these on Eventbrite.
In conclusion…
Setting aside time for a date night in can be so beneficial for you and your partner. Here are three tips when planning your date nights:
Take turns planing date nights. This way the responsibility doesn't fall on just one person.
While one parent gets things ready for the date night, the other parent can handle bedtime.
Aim to have one AT LEAST once a month. Then work your way up to bi-weekly or even weekly!
If you’re reading this and at a point of total exhaustion wondering how you will find the energy to have a date night, I can help you. My services exist to not only to help your child sleep, but also to support you and your partner in this new journey of parenthood.
I offer free 30-minute calls to see if working together would be a good fit. I am here to be your go-to person, to answer your questions and support you, making the sleep training process easier on the whole family!
Sleep easy,
Yasmin Johnston
Your Pediatric Sleep Consultant
